James

Johnson

Even though he saw some action behind Cedric Benson late last season, Johnson was never in the discussion. Both Brian Leonard and DeDe Dorsey made the team.

Shirley is the ideal practice squad guy. The converted defensive tackle has a lot of power in the running game, but is still learning the position. They went with the undrafted Pressley over Fui Vakapuna, a seventh-round pick.

If Rudi goes down, Watson and Perry might split duty, but we’d take Watson as a handcuff. He proved capable of shouldering a large workload last year and you couldn’t reasonably expect Perry to stay healthy long. DeDe Dorsey, nursing a bad hamstring, and James Johnson round out the depth chart.

Johnson will essentially serve as Cincy’s fourth back behind Chris Perry, Kenny Watson, and DeDe Dorsey to start out. Both wideouts are projects.

Johnson and Urrutia could both be headed for the practice squad. Busing and Henderson were mainly special teamers. Burton is big, but real slow.

Lewis usually doesn’t single out players by name, but praised Johnson and receiver Marcus Maxwell. Johnson went to Kansas State. While a little presser love may not mean much, he could be in the mix for a roster spot. Especially if DeDe Dorsey can’t get healthy.

Reynaud was a running back in high school and saw limited action there at West Virginia, but he’s not a realistic solution as Adrian Peterson’s backup. Albert Young is currently second on the depth chart, ahead of practice squadder James Johnson. The Vikes may also revisit Brian Westbrook or another veteran if they fail to draft a back.

Marvin Lewis didn’t sound terribly optimistic about Perry’s chances of playing in Week 15. He would have only been a backup anyway. Kenny Watson is still nursing a hamstring injury as well, meaning James Johnson might be backing up Cedric Benson.

Johnson caught a few balls out of the backfield, but it was pretty much the Cedric Benson show. Still, Johnson looked good in his brief action and could battle for a backup spot next season.

Expectations for Johnson should be low, as he doesn’t run particularly well and is fourth on the depth chart behind Cedric Benson, Chris Perry, and Kenny Watson. He might be incorporated into the third-down offense in the last four games and will have a chance to audition for a 2009 roster spot.